Donald Constantine Hilbert

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by West Point 1955 on May 24, 2020:

Carla Ann Hilbert Mass of Christian Burial CLASS OF 1955 ATTENDEES: West Point classmates and their spouses/friends attending the visitation and/or the Mass were as follows (there may have been others who came early or late whom we missed - since there were two periods of visitations): Ed & Betsy Anderson Norm & Barbara Blahuta Jim Cutchin Jack Doyle Ted Gay Bud & Dorothy Goldstein Lorna Malooley Greta Masson and her daughter Carl McNair & Myrna Williamson Rich and Mary Ann Miller Linda Newton Matt & Betty Schepps John & Ruth Sloan Bob & Pat Strati Danny & Yvette Troyan and daughter, Danielle Rod & Pat Vitty Dick & Sandy Wargowsky Tom & Elaine West and daughter, Laura PRESIDING PRIEST: Father Patrick J. Stenson, the officiating Catholic clergyman, was present throughout the Visitation on Thursday evening closing the evening for the attendees with a prayer for the departed, assisted by a neighboring minister of Carla and Don's in their Potomac neighborhood. Father Stenson also officiated at the Burial Mass the following morning assisted by many of the family members who read the scriptures, led the prayers and presented the sacraments to Father Stenson for consecration for Holy Communion. Father Stenson, a long-time friend of Carla and Don, not only served earlier in his ministry as a missionary in New Guinea, but also was a military chaplain for many years completing his service as the Chaplain of the Soldiers Home in '93-'99, during the Hilbert's years there. His Homily and Eulogy were beautifully done as he spoke fondly of the service of both Don and Carla to the nation and their love of one another and their families. CANTORS AND WEST POINT ALUMNI GLEE CLUB: The service also featured two cantors with beautiful voices who were complimented by the West Point Alumni Glee Club with their own special numbers at the beginning and the close. Don, himself a member of the Catholic Choir and the West Point Glee Club during his four cadet years, has been a faithful member of the Alumni Glee Club locally and supported many funerals with their talented group of grads. Thus, it was very fitting that the Glee Club closed the service with the 'Alma Mater' in tribute to Carla and Don. OTHER ATTENDEES AND OFFICIALS FROM THE MILITARY DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AND THE OLD GUARD: While there were many classmates, spouses and family members in attendance, there were also many friends and fellow soldiers from the Military District of Washington and The Third United States Infantry, 'The Old Guard', who had served with Don Hilbert during his years commanding those two major units here in the Washington Area. In addition, Don served as the Governor/Director of the Soldiers and Airman's Home 1990-2002, then became Executive Director, Army Distaff Foundation/Knollwood, following his duty at the Soldiers Home. So, there were representatives from each of these major Washington activities present to pay their respects to Carla on the sad occasion. Many members of the Old Guard Association were present, as was COL Johnnie Davis, the current Commanding Officer, all paying their respect to their former Commander's lady. Carla, Don and I were all present at COL Davis's Change of Command at Fort Myer only a few weeks ago. LTG Mike Linnington, '80, currently - Deputy Under SecDef for Personnel and Readiness, former Commandant USMA, and Former CG, MDW, was also present to pay his respects. INTERMENT TO FOLLOW IN SECTION 7A: Carla's interment will follow in a few weeks in Section 7A of Arlington National Cemetery and the Class will be notified as to the time and date once Arlington provides the interment schedule. As most of the class is well aware, Don's first wife, Marie (Chickie), whom we all knew well, passed away in 1994 and was buried in Section 7A, where their infant son, John, was buried in 1969. Their monument is already in place and is only a few gravesites down on the same row from our classmate, Dick Masson, who passed away on Sep 4, 2000. EXPRESSIONS OF CONDOLENCE: Condolences may be extended to Don at his home address: 9414 Turnberry Drive Potomac, MD 20854 E mail: dchilbert@verizon.net DEMAINE FUNERAL HOME CONDOLENCE PAGE FOR CARLA ANN HILBERT: You also may express your condolences in memory of Carla Hilbert in the On-Line Guest Book of Demaine Funeral Home through September 17, 2014. If desired, your entry can be made on the Demaine - Dignity Memorial Website, simply highlight Obituary, then enter Carla's name and date of her published obituary, August 21, 2014. You may then enter your condolences and your name and address. A few classmates have already exercised this option which is very convenient. MEMORIAL DONATIONS: Per the obituary notice, memorial donations may be sent to: Army Distaff Foundation, Knollwood 6200 Oregon Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20015 In sympathy - Grip Hands: CARL Carl McNair LCA for Don Hilbert

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